Mike Bouchard on Immigration

Republican Challenger

52% of illegal immigrants have criminal backgrounds

Q: Do you support path to citizenship for illegal immigrants?

STABENOW: I voted no, because it went too far and cost us jobs. I do think it’s important to have border security and legal system that is fair and effective. My focus is on our jobs
that we’re losing because of failed policies.

BOUCHARD: Border security is big issue for me. I’m against illegal immigration. 52% of illegal immigrants caught had criminal backgrounds. She voted for and then against border fence.

Border security before considering legalization

The US Senate squandered an opportunity to make our country safer by failing to pass meaningful reform to secure our nation’s borders. The security of our borders is a critical issue. One [blocked] amendment would require certification that the border
was secure before creating a guest worker program or granting legal status to illegal immigrants. Another would have the legalization program bar illegal immigrants who had deportation orders or had been convicted of a felony or three misdemeanors.

Source: Press Release, “Failing to Secure Borders”
, Apr 7, 2006

Prevent convicted felons from obtaining citizenship

A House amendment that would have prevented illegal immigrants convicted of a felony from obtaining US citizenship [was rejected]. The amendment would add burglary, assault and battery, and kidnapping to the list of crimes that would prevent an illegal
from obtaining citizenship. “This is exactly what we are talking about when we say homeland security is border security,” said Bouchard. “This amendment would prevent people who are in our country illegally and then break our laws from becoming citizens.